Hugh Jackman Promises WOLVERINE 2 Will Be “Very Different”

With word that acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky is set to direct the sequel to the atrocious X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it’s time to turn our attention over to analyzing what we can expect from the follow-up. Hugh Jackman, on site last night at Elton John’s Enduring Vision gala, gave Vulture the latest scoop on the project. “This is, hopefully for me, going to be out of the box. It’s going to be the best one, I hope,” he said, and then paused. “Well, I would say that, but I really do feel that, and I feel this is going to be very different.”

Jackman also doesn’t feel that the typically dark Aronofsky will clash with the comic book material stating, “”This is Wolverine. This is not Popeye. He’s kind of dark. But, you know, this is a change of pace. Chris McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects, has written the script, so that’ll give you a good clue. [Aronofsky’s] going to make it fantastic. There’s going to be some meat on the bones. There will be something to think about as you leave the theater, for sure.” Does that mean we can expect something more akin to The Dark Knight? Hit the jump for more.

The film, tentatively titled Wolverine 2, is slated to begin production in March. Although Aronofsky, who is known for such greats as 1998’s Pi, 2000’s Requiem for a Dream and 2008’s The Wrestler, has yet to officially sign onto the project, sources say that the deal is close to being finalized.

I’m mixed on this whole scenario. While I worship the ground Aronofsky walks on, my worry is that the studio will impact his vision. Up until now, Aronofsky has more or less done what he wanted to do, but after a disastrous production on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which included extensive reshoots, and reports of director Richard Donner overstepping director Gavin Hood, one wonders just how much leeway 20th Century Fox is willing to give the acclaimed director, whose next film Black Swan is set for release in December.

There’s no denying that Aronofsky will bring his unique vision to the table. And having worked with Jackman before on 2006’s The Fountain (another underrated gem), I can only imagine the chemistry between the two will have meaningful results. But again, 20th Century Fox has a shady track record with the X:Men franchise, which reached a high note with Bryan Singer’s X2: X-Men United (2003), but then fell off the deep end with the disappointing Brett Ratner follow-up X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). Still, the studio at least seems to be trying to make amends by pegging Aronofsky and Kick Ass director Matthew Vaugn, who is currently deep into production on X-Men: First Class due next year, to push the mutant franchise in the right direction.

Either way, Jackman is stoked for the sequel and has already begun bulking up for the role.

“Expect to see four chicken breasts and a whole pile of steamed broccoli on my plate,” he said last night. “I’m starting; I’m having my six meals a day.” He concluded by assuring fans that Wolverine 2 will not be a “usual” X-Men movie. One can hope, right?

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